life insurance

Segment Grows 15.4% To ₹1.4L Cr, Standalone Insurers Account For 33% Of Total Premium

The central government has announced 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in insurance companies via the automatic route, enabling full foreign ownership. This move, aligning with the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Act, 2025, aims to boost foreign participation, with IRDAI approval required. LIC remains an exception with a 20% FDI limit.

Jan Suraksha programmes have paid out nearly Rs 25,160 crore in claims over a decade, with millions enrolled in life cover, accident insurance, and pension schemes. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the success of PMJJBY, PMSBY, and APY in providing affordable social security, especially for vulnerable sections.

India has eased foreign investment rules, allowing up to 100% FDI in insurance and relaxing norms for investments from neighbouring countries. Companies with up to 10% Chinese holding can now invest via the automatic route, though entities registered in China itself are excluded. These changes aim to boost capital inflows amidst a weakening rupee.

Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam's manifesto, spanning 94 pages, outlines comprehensive promises for Tamil Nadu voters. Key pledges include monthly financial aid for women, free bus rides, and healthcare initiatives. The party also committed to youth development, farmer support, police reforms, and economic revival for MSMEs and weavers.

Dalal Street concluded the holiday-shortened week with gains, as the combined market valuation of India's top 10 firms surged by Rs 2.20 lakh crore, led by Reliance Industries. Despite a volatile trading environment and mixed global cues, investor sentiment remained resilient, with the BSE Sensex rising 0.32%.

NSE's initial public offer received a significant boost as a majority of its shareholders agreed to divest their holdings for the offer for sale. The aggregate offering of shares has now surpassed the 4% limit of the exchange's total equity capital, paving the way for the IPO which could be valued at Rs 23,000 crore.

A nuanced understanding of the various ITR forms for FY 2025–26 is essential for globally mobile professionals, domestic salaried taxpayers, and individual investors

India's life insurance sector saw a robust 15.7% growth in new business premiums for FY26, reaching Rs 4.6 lakh crore. While overall policy sales rose modestly, private players like SBI Life gained market share. The individual segment showed strong gains, with group insurance proving crucial for stabilizing some insurers' portfolios.

'Too Expensive', Only 1-2% Of Homeowners in India Buy Policy: Experts

Maharashtra government is set to acquire the iconic Air India building in South Mumbai for Rs 1,600 crore. The Finance Department has released funds, paving the way for a deal with Air India Assets Holding Limited. This move aims to alleviate space crunch at Mantralaya and consolidate government offices, offering significant office space near the secretariat.

Indian equity markets experienced a significant downturn, with the top ten most-valued firms losing over Rs 2 lakh crore. Tata Consultancy Services and Reliance Industries bore the brunt of this decline, influenced by geopolitical tensions and weak IT sector commentary. The broader market also saw substantial drops in benchmark indices.

A large section of today’s workforce earns more than ₹15,000 but remains outside compulsory social security coverage. Raising the EPF wage ceiling seeks to bridge this gap by aligning statutory coverage with present day wage realities.

Elon Musk testified in a trial against OpenAI, accusing the AI company and CEO Sam Altman of abandoning their nonprofit mission. Musk stated he co-founded OpenAI to prevent AI from falling into the wrong hands, arguing the shift to a for-profit structure violated its original purpose. He emphasized that the case's outcome could impact charitable giving nationwide.